‘I Don’t Want the Presidency for Money’

ANC to formally announce the candidacy of Mr. Cummings today at its convention

Shortly after the Montserrado County delegates of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) formally endorsed Alexander Benedict Cummings yesterday as their choice for the party’s standard bearer to contest the October polls, he told the delegates he does not want the presidency for money.

“I want to be president because I want to change this country, not that I want money to enrich myself. Every citizen will realize their potential if I am elected your president,” he told the delegates, who responded with several political slogans, suggesting that an ANC victory is a foregone conclusion.
Cummings, however, acknowledged that changing the country implies the application of a simple idea that “is not hard either, because it requires the commitment of all, irrespective of one’s status.”

He indicated that one of the biggest obstacles to changing Liberia is corruption. “We have to get rid of it,” Cummings added, to rounds of applause.

The ANC political leader told the gathering of supporters that Liberia deserve to be a better country with improved infrastructures and jobs for all.

He made the commitment when he was formally endorsed as standard bearer by the Montserrado chapter of the ANC. According to Askia Gontorwon Biago, chairman of the ANC’s Primary and Convention Committee, a similar exercise is expected to take place across the country to legalize Cummings’ leadership of the party.

Shortly after his endorsement, Cummings requested Liberians not to accept their current plight as their final destination, and promised that every Liberian will get a job to support his/her family under his administration.

He meanwhile frowned on government’s policy to import the country’s staple food, rice, and said his leadership will prioritize mechanized farming to improve agriculture throughout the country. “It is unacceptable for us to import everything we eat including our staple food,” he said.

Cummings said he wants a better education program and healthcare delivery system to discourage government officials and other well-to-do Liberians from flying abroad to seek advanced medical treatment.

He also promised stable and affordable electricity and other basic social services, including water supply to every home. “I have offered myself to work with you to make Liberia better,” he said.

As though the electorates were not aware of those they are to elect at the upcoming polls, Cummings cautioned them and other eligible Liberian voters to check the backgrounds of all the aspirants for the various posts to know their past records.

“If someone kept a promise to you in the past, his posture would suggest that the person can do it in the future,” he said.

He challenged anyone, including any of Liberia’s foreign residents, to investigate his record, adding: “Look at what he has done in and out of the country, following which people will be convinced to give him a vote and other supports in his political journey.”

Cummings put the delegates’ feet to the political fire by asking them to zealously search for votes that would ensure he is elected in October as President of Liberia.
Cummings, 61, is a free-marketer’s presidential candidate, who has the hope of transforming Liberia by taking the youth out of poverty to avoid future crises.

He is not one of Liberia’s typical career politicians, because he has served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the Coca Cola Company before stepping onto the country’s political arena.
One of his plans to run the country, if elected president, is through the application of non-traditional approaches in Liberia’s politics, he said.

Born in Monrovia in 1956 to an educator (who worked for the Ministry of Education before studying divinity) and a midwife, Cummings spent his early years in Point Four before studying at primary and secondary schools in Montserrado County.

Meanwhile, as a former Coca Cola executive setting his sights on the Liberian presidency, Cummings has said that the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of a National Code of Conduct does not apply to him, “because it seems as a major stumbling block to many of the more than 20 candidates running for president.” He dismissed his inclusion among those likely to be axed from the presidential race because of the Code.

“The first thing I would say is that a Code of Conduct is not anything bad to have in any organization, in any institution. They need to be very clear and simple to understand and they need to be enforced consistently.

“In this particular case, it does not apply to me. I was never in government. In this particular case, we are talking about in Liberia,” he clarified.

50 COMMENTS

My brother, I think he meant not for personal gain. He is not seeking the higher office of the land just to enrich himself, but to effect real change. A change that is tangible and you and I can believe in.

Thanks, Mr. Cummings for making your side clear that you don’t want the presidency for self enrichment. In this vein, how will you determine your own salaries and benefits when you succeed? How much will you want the Legislature to prescribe as salaries for the president, vice president and legislators themselves? What will be your ministers’ monthly allowances in the US dollars and salaries in the Liberian dollars? May you clearly define what corruption is to you and how you will tackle it. Which African leader, current or past, do you see as your road model?

That is why he’s challenging Liberians to investigate him. It is now up to you and me to take up on this challenge and do the needed due diligence before electing him to this office. By you saying you do not trust him is not enough, but try to prove that you can either trust or mistrust him…

I don’t think he’s insinuating he will not accept salary that legally goes with the job, but that money will not influence his decision in doing what is right for the nation.

I have always expressed by will and offers to seek votes for this MAN. He has the Heart and good intention to move Liberia and Liberians forward. I hope young and old, Rural and urban Liberians will not deny themselves this opportunity to choose a Man who has offered his service to make us PROUD.

How can you proof that you don’t want it for money? You did not promised to give back your presidency salary to the people or used it to build school.You just went up there and say oh I don’t want it for money how can be sure that you don’t want it for money when you can’t refused they pay? He is not clear and using open language and words to confused the people.

Patrick – again, I think what he’s saying is that it is not the desire for the money and perks that is driving him for the presidency, but his desire to bring about real change, a change you and I can believe in; to change the trajectory of the country to one that is acceptable to all. He will not allow money or the love of it to cloud his judgement and decision.

The point is he wants to lead the nation so we can, together, undo most of the things wrong with the country…Remember, neither he or anybody can do it alone; it has to be done by all of us.

Exactly John, that’s the fact. Mr. Cummings is not driven by the desire to enrich himself through the presidential seat. Every person with passion for Liberia and its people, will move to do what is desired for the country.

How can you proof that you don’t want it for money? You did not promised to give back your presidency salary to the people or used it to build school.You just went up there and say oh I don’t want it for money how can be sure that you don’t want it for money when you can’t refused the pay? He is not clear and using open language and words to confused the people.

Base on the aspirant quotation ” he does not want the presidency for money” I think what he’s driving at is, he’s not in it for his personal monetary gain. Yes indeed upon ascendency, he will need money for salaries, building Liberia’s infrastructures, initiating a better school system and so forth. That doesn’t mean he’s going to convert these funds into his personal gain- like we’ve seen in the past. Where in the world that a President won’t need money to develop his/her country? Liberia has been slashed apart by those so-called politicians. For example, look at those that are in the house. I was borne in Bomi. Attended St. Dominic’s catholic school. I now live in Minnesota. For each time I visit Liberia, I become so frustrated over the way Bomi looks. It saddens me to know that individuals are only in the house- all because of personal aggrandizement. Liberians only need someone who will- if not eradicate corruption, but will see it been minimize to a greater extend. I hail from Arthington. Again look at the way it looks. I really don’t care who’s going to become our next president. What I really care for is, a real ” PATRIOTIC” President. Ma Ellen has started the rebuilding process. Now
, it’s up to the incoming president to continue things that have initiated by her.

Dayton, please read carefully Mr. Cummings’ statement. He did not mention about his salary. He said, his aspiration to seek the Presidency is not based on MONEY. He wants to build a Liberia that is longed overdue that will produce Industries and provide JOBS for every Liberians. This means, as president, his focus point is not the Salary he gets. Yes, indeed every employee must be paid fairly but the Job must be done with love. Presently, we have an Administration that continues to overly pay corrupt Officials of Government, the highest pay in Africa in the most corrupt Nation. A Nation that had 85% unemployed CITIZENS. It is time that Liberians depart UNITY PARTY and the entire Administration. Liberians do not need a VICE President who falls at Sleep while CORRUPTION is at wake.

I am just wondering whether or not the code of conduct only applies to people serving in government as Mr. Cummings implies? I thought the code of conduct applies to all citizens of Liberia who intends to partake in Liberia’s presidential politics?

I think Mr. Cummings make some great points in his speech but the concern here is, he point out that he has not worked for Government more presicisely the Government of Liberia, that led me to believe that he has been working in private sectors, secondly he mentioned that he worked for Cocoa-la company as Executive vice president for Africa. Now, all those years he was at cocoa Cola company what was his contributions to Liberia? All the business experiences Mr. Cummings acquired how many Companies does he own in Liberia? He also talked about creating jobs, why will he wants to be president before creating jobs?
I believe if anyone can go that high need not to be president before creating jobs for instance Bill Gates, Steve Jobs etc. Liberians please please give me a break!!!

Exactly, my exact sentiments. Can anyone name one or some of Mr. Cumming contribution and investment to Liberia, before announcing his interest of becoming the next president of Liberia? My question wasn’t meant to be cynical, We all knows each one of the presidential’s hopeful are all opportunistic, in it to enriche themselves, family and friends.

From where I sit, I can hear and see what got Mr. Alexander Cummings into the Presidential race.
It is the way people are using Liberia. This one comes, corrupt and takes his own away; and that
one comes and takes away her own and leave; but leaving no mark of development behind.

When Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf launched her destruction on Liberia, people thought that her war was
only to remove a dictator from office. But that was not her aim as we can see in Liberia today. I
am sure to think that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf et Company came in to enrich themselves. That is why
prosecution of corrupt officials of Government during her tenure was placed on a drier.

No President in Liberia had ever received the amount of money President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has received from partners-donors to rebuild the country after war. Yet, under her Presidency, the Southeastern Liberia was completely cut off from the rest of the country.

What happened to the Reports of the General Auditing Commission under Mr. John Morlu? Here
again, we have seen the Government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf buried all those Reports with
steps taken to retrieve the people’s money. Investment in the countryis negligible. As a result
families or the people are finding it very hard to care themselves. The Liberian people have been
living in their own country as if they are strangers.

For the past 11 years, Mrs. Sirleaf has not found it fit to develop the country. Now that she is taking
her exit, is it a time to undertake development? Then, when does she intend to finish them?

From where I sit, I can hear and see what got Mr. Alexander Cummings into the Presidential race.
It is the way people are using Liberia. This one comes, corrupt and takes his own away; and that
one comes and takes away her own and leave; but leaving no mark of development behind.

When Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf launched her destruction on Liberia, people thought that her war was
only to remove a dictator from office. But that was not her aim as we can see in Liberia today. I
am sure to think that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf et Company came in to enrich themselves. That is why
prosecution of corrupt officials of Government during her tenure was placed on a drier.

No President in Liberia had ever received the amount of money President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has received from partners-donors to rebuild the country after war. Yet, under her Presidency, the Southeastern Liberia was completely cut off from the rest of the country.

What happened to the Reports of the General Auditing Commission under Mr. John Morlu? Here
again, we have seen the Government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf buried all those Reports with
steps taken to retrieve the people’s money. Investment in the countryis negligible. As a result
families or the people are finding it very hard to care themselves. The Liberian people have been
living in their own country as if they are strangers.

For the past 11 years, Mrs. Sirleaf has not found it fit to develop the country. Now that she is taking
her exit, is it a time to undertake development? Then, when does she intend to finish them? These
and other things are what made Mr. Alexander Cummings vex to want to get the presidency for
those deliberate failed Presidents to see what it takes to do development.

that man is an alien which part of this world has he been before coming to beg for presidency, nothing he says that justify, and some of you will only be reasonable with him cuz you are lost and don’t know; you wont have an absolute majority accepting him to serve not even on a half time basis as entity of a nation that will show that we are all blind, let him come out and be like trump run things or like the Nigerian billionaire let the government come to him for credit if only he cares for the country peace @@@@

Why waste your time to post things that you can’t prove? If you say Cummings is an alien, then the question is, which country is he from? your thought process seem limited because you know fully well that Cummings is a Liberian. I suggest that you get your fact straight before next time.

Where was the Constitution Of The Republic during the 2005/2011 Election? The Justices who made the decision to exclude their fellow Liberians from taking the highest office of the land base on the Code of Conduct were blind in the years mentioned above?

Most of you are just assuming that Alex Cummings get so much money and that makes him qualify for the presidency. Alex Cummings have no experience in government, he has not work anywhere in the Liberian government. Working for Coco-Cola does not qualify you to run for presidency of a country. This is what America is going through today. Trump thought that the presidency was an easy job and with no government experience, he was elected and this is how he is messing up the government today. What is the real history of this man? Some people say he went to government public school in Monrovia, some say he went to CWA, some say he went to school in Cape Palmas etc. Stop pretending like you know Alex Cummings so much. Alex Cummings have some back ground in Tappita that you all dont know, because there where his father died and was buried and this is the true story.

Mr. Wonokay, what qualified an individual to run for President in Liberia? Are there some set requirements that Liberians need to. know? The Constitution is the required Law that candidates look at prior to registering to run for public office. I believe Mr. Cumming did read that legal requirements. Why can a former executive of a Company seeks the Presidency? Mr. Cummings has management experience. Does Liberia needs a manager to protect her interest? Yes, Liberia really need a good manager who has the skills to bring in development and business to create jobs. Mr. Cummings is right man at this time because 85% of Liberians are unemployed. Not every leader has to be a politician. Thanks

Give the current president a break Liberia! It’s easy to forget the condition of the country when Ellen was elected. Compare where you are now. I think she done a great job for the country. Who’s up next to carry the baton?

True indeed. He’s the best choice and best leader for our Country, mama Liberia. Liberians, make the right choice come October 10, 2017 and protect the future of us all. Yes…Cummings, the alternative!!!

Mr. Alexander Cummings is not, in any form or shape, an alien. He is the best candidate of all candidates.
He is not the only person who had left Liberia for the United States to gain the richest experience that can be had. His stay in the United States is a blessing because, he learned how development is really
coordinated. Liberians should not be fooled to think that he is an Alien. He is not at all. He wants to give back something and Liberians should proud and willing to accept it.

In the United States, voters choice is never based on the fact that someone has been in Government.
The American voters are more attracted by someone outside of Government. Otherwise, Donald Trump would not had been elected. So Liberians will be wise to elect Alexander Benedict Cummings
President of the Republic of Liberia comes this October. The question is: “Will you not elect someone
who has never ever participated in corruption, cronyism, patronage way of governing?” Yes, indeed,!
Liberians will elect outsider to see the difference in development!

You made some vital point in reference to Mr. Cumming electability and I concord. However, Donald Trump was not elected by the popular voters, he was elected by the electoral college. The comparison in my opinion is way off.

Ok yes, your relatives and friends will even sponsor Liberia and Liberians. You have enough money to even buy Liberia a plane. We know you and your entire team is rich behind measures. Just yesterday we heard this same song, has worked the United Nation , got experience, is over qualified, got money. The other guy used to be a big businessman but we all saw how the money people developed Liberia. My people God is speaking to us every day, all we need is to listen and follow his lead. Some of these people don’t care about Liberia, how will you be applying for job and telling your employer big time all the way? To be president of a country you need to respect the voters and beg them to hire you not telling them got money. Since you got money why be president, go enjoy your money and leave our poor country alone mr. money.

The late Chinese Leader, Deng Xiaoping, the great architect behind China’s Modernization Policy, once said, “It does not matter the color of the cat, as long as it can catch a mice.” Liberia is far, far behind other African countries when it comes to economic development and prosperity. If we do not stop our hyper-partisanship, tribalism and excessive polarization of depriving our fellow Liberians who have the experience, vision, and knowledge to rebuild our fragile nation, we will continue to be left behind other developing nations.

As a Liberian, I will admit that we are our own enemies. Why will we have a code of conduct barring government appointees from running for political office for 2 to 3 years, instead of just asking them to resign from government position if they desire to run for political office?

I am not a member of any political party; but over the past 20 years, I have followed Mr. Cummings remarkable achievements as a top executive from Pillsbury Company to an international renowned company-Coca-Cola. Mr. Cumming is a good financial manager as well as an international administrator who has the vision and international acumen to run the affairs of our failed state. The only problem I have is that he is overly optimistic, and he is making too many unrealistic promises. How will he supply water, affordable electricity and basic social services to every home……this is an impossible task to accomplish in six or twelve years. He might bring electricity, water and basic social services to a large segment of the population, but where will he get the money to accomplish his goals? Is he going to put Liberia into insurmountable debt just to accomplish these goals?

Unlike other candidates with no specific goals for Liberia, I respect Mr. Cummings because he has some good economic platforms to run on. I just need to know more details on how he plans to pay for all these remarkable things he wants to do for Liberia. As for me, it does not matter who rebuilds Liberia or who puts Liberians back to work. All I need to know is how will we pay for all these development?

The late Chinese Leader, Deng Xiaoping, the great architect behind China’s Modernization Policy, once said, “It does not matter the color of the cat, as long as it can catch a mice.” Liberia is far, far behind other African countries when it comes to economic development and prosperity. If we do not stop our hyper-partisanship, tribalism and excessive polarization of depriving our fellow Liberians who have the experience, vision, and knowledge to rebuild our fragile nation, we will continue to be left behind other developing nations.

As a Liberian, I will admit that we are our own enemies. Why will we have a code of conduct barring government appointees from running for political office for 2 to 3 years, instead of just asking them to resign from government position if they desire to run for political office? To be cont’d

I am not a member of any political party; but over the past 20 years, I have followed Mr. Cummings remarkable achievements as a top executive from Pillsbury Company to an international renowned company-Coca-Cola. Mr. Cumming is a good financial manager as well as an international administrator who has the vision and international acumen to run the affairs of our failed state. The only problem I have is that he is overly optimistic, and he is making too many unrealistic promises. How will he supply water, affordable electricity and basic social services to every home……this is an impossible task to accomplish in six or twelve years. He might bring electricity, water and basic social services to a large segment of the population, but where will he get the money to accomplish his goals? Is he going to put Liberia into insurmountable debt just to accomplish these goals?

Unlike other candidates with no specific goals for Liberia, I respect Mr. Cummings because he has some good economic platforms to run on. I just need to know more details on how he plans to pay for all these remarkable things he wants to do for Liberia. As for me, it does not matter who rebuilds Liberia or who puts Liberians back to work. All I need to know is how will we pay for all these development?

It is pathetic how we are quick to judge a person prior to doing our research of obtaining the truth. If you ASSUME that someone is providing you a lot of garbage then prove them wrong by carefully obtaining the facts. At this point you can go ahead and respond by disproving their claim. It will be in the country’s best interest if we as Liberians would carefully research our candidate’s track record and accomplishments in order to make a decision at the ballot box. All of us have been disappointed with the past administrations in one way or the other. This should be a lesson that we should use to ensure that whosoever we elect to the presidency and all other position of government that is electable.

Thank you Mr. Cummins, I think you are in line with and you are speaking part of my heart.
anyway, we do need money to run any office, but we don’t want to do it personal gain.
your platform, is awesome thank you and may God give you the heart to do as you promise.

Liberianobserver.com is the online version of its print edition, the Daily Observer newspaper, a product of the Liberian Observer Corporation. The Daily Observer publishes a wide range of content including politics, business, sports and entertainment on and about Liberia. Follow us on social media for all the latest news and analysis.